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The Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Diamonds

By
Elizabeth Williams

There are several different types of diamonds that you should know about. If you want to learn more, check out this guide.

Marilyn Monroe claimed that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” However, everyone can be mesmerized by the iconic glow of a diamond.

50% of the world’s diamond sales are in the United States. Diamonds are the typical luxury item. They’re most often seen on engagement rings but are also featured in just about every jewelry staple.

From the 4 C’s to how they’re grown, there are many different types of diamonds. In addition, diamonds are made into all shapes and even colors. Continue reading to find all out about the different diamonds.

Natural Diamonds

There are many theories on how natural diamonds form. Geologists believe diamonds form in the earth’s mantle and volcanic eruptions deliver the diamonds to the surface.

Natural diamonds are the quintessential colorless diamonds we all recognize. Contrary to popular belief, diamonds aren’t rare at all. However, they’re difficult to find, which is why we use mining techniques to retrieve them.

Man-Made Diamonds

Man-made diamonds, also known as lab grown diamonds, are becoming a common trend.

What’s the difference between lab grown diamonds vs real diamonds? They both look similar and their chemical makeup is also almost identical.

The major difference is how they’re created. As stated previously, diamonds are extracted using mining techniques.

Lab grown diamonds are synthetic, helping reduce time and mining labor. This is also why man-made diamonds are significantly cheaper.

Treated Diamonds

Not all natural diamonds are perfect. Most diamonds have imperfections. These include cavities, cloudiness, and even color alterations. If a diamond is less-than-perfect, it can be treated to enhance its appearance.

This results in more attractive diamonds that have increased value. In addition, these diamonds are still considered lower quality than non-treated diamonds, which makes treated diamonds more affordable.

Colored Diamonds

The only thing rarer than a perfect non-treated diamond is a natural colored diamond.

These colors can range from blue to pink and colored diamonds can be found all over the world. These colors based on the light hues the diamond absorbs.

Colored diamonds are becoming a popular trend. More celebrities are sporting them and colored diamonds are popular engagement rings.

Because of their popularity, treated and lab grown colored diamonds are also becoming more common, achieving a beautiful colored diamond while reducing the price.

The Two Different Types of Diamonds

When diamonds are forming, nitrogen can substitute carbon and affect the diamond’s structure. That’s why diamonds are separated into two classes: type I and type II.

Type I diamonds are the most common. Nitrogen atoms made their way inside the stone, appearing as clusters. This affects the color of the diamond.

Type IA gives a yellow tint while Type IB diamonds give off a blue or green tint. Most colored diamonds are type IB diamonds.

Most of the fine diamonds you see on the market are Type II diamonds. These diamonds have no nitrogen impurities. They’re also harder and larger than Type I diamonds.

Type IIa diamonds are the most desirable. But Type IIb diamonds give off a unique blue tone, thanks to Boron.

From Type to Color: Diamonds Are Exquisite Stones

After knowing the different types of diamonds, you probably appreciate these stones even more. This is why diamonds are still the perfect gift for your SO and why they make amazing engagement rings.

Are you planning on proposing to your girlfriend? Or need more relationship advice? Love goes beyond diamonds. Take a look at our romance and relationship advice articles.

How to Find a Safe, Reliable Online Pharmacy

By
Elizabeth Williams

When buying medications online, you want to make sure that they’re coming from a trustworthy source. Learn how to find a safe, reliable online pharmacy.

Roughly 11 percent of American adults that buy prescriptions use an online pharmacy. It’s no surprise, considering some prescriptions cost more than many people can afford. 

But when you buy your prescriptions online, you want to make sure that it’s coming from a trusted source. So how do you find a reliable online pharmacy?

To find the best online pharmacies, start by following these tips and avoiding common mistakes.

What to Avoid

There are certain red flags to look out for when searching for an online pharmacy service. For your safety, never buy from a pharmacy that can’t verify their product and licenses.

Sites That Don’t Require a Doctor’s Prescription

Don’t trust any site that claims you can buy medications without a prescription. A valid prescription from your doctor is always necessary to obtain prescription drugs online.

Avoid sites that claim you can call in a prescription yourself. Likewise, any website that claims they can have their doctor prescribe for you without an exam is a major red flag. Taking drugs without a prescription is against the law and unsafe.

Services Without a Physical Address

You might think that because you’re buying your medication online the pharmacy doesn’t need a physical address. But avoid companies that don’t have one or use a P.O. box because they’re probably a scam and located somewhere else.

A legitimate online pharmacy in the U.S. and Canada should have a verifiable street address. You should also avoid companies that ship worldwide.

Tips for Finding a Reliable Online Pharmacy

A trustworthy online pharmacy should follow guidelines and have a verifiably licensed physician. Follow these tips to ensure you only buy online from a reputable source.

Look for the VIPPS Seal or CIPA-Certified Pharmacies

Online pharmacies based in the United States should always have a VIPPS seal of approval. Canadian online pharmacies should be CIPA-approved (the Canadian International Pharmacy Association).

You can find lists of verified pharmacies online through CIPA or the FDA website.

Learn more about getting prescriptions through a verified Canadian pharmacy.

Only Use Services with Licensed Pharmacists

Prescriptions should only be filled by a verifiable licensed and registered pharmacist. If you can’t find this information on a website, you should avoid using their services.

Look for Bio-Equivalent Generic Medications

By law, generic medications must be bio-equivalent to brand medications. That means that it must release its active ingredient in almost exactly the same way as the original drug. A bio-equivalent drug is equal in terms of dosage and quality.

Illegitimate online pharmacies often sell counterfeit medication. These drugs are illegal and can be hazardous to your health.

Finding an Online Pharmacy That’s Safe and Reliable

You should always follow these tips when looking for a reliable online pharmacy. If you spot any red flags, don’t use that service.

When searching for an online pharmacy, the information should be easy to verify. Remember, there should always be a licensed pharmacist handling your prescriptions.

Did you find this article useful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our site for more useful tips and advice on a variety of topics.

Factors to Consider When Buying Outdoor Storage Sheds

By
Elizabeth Williams

There are a couple of considerations to have in mind if you’re looking to buy outdoor  industrial storage sheds. There will obvious considerations such as cost, color, and size but there is a lot more that you should be looking out for. Storage space is a major investment and you don’t want to get a raw deal. There are a couple of considerations to have in mind when buying a storage shed and we’re going to highlight some of them.

Quality Vs Price

You will need to strike a balance between price and quality. You get what you pay for even for storage spaces. It can be disastrous choosing the cheapest unit you can find hoping to save a couple of bucks. A shed that is constructed with high-quality materials is likely to last longer. You might have to pay more but you will never be worried about doing a premature replacement because the materials can’t withstand the elements. If you’re on a budget, you should be focusing on shades that are well-built using basic materials instead of looking at the aesthetic considerations.

Design Considerations

Most homeowners will want to buy a storage shed that blends in with the design of the home. You don’t want to go for a unit that is a sharp contrast to your property.  A good example is when you have a country-style design for your home. The ideal storage shed to go will be one with a rustic design because the two styles complement each other. Storage sheds can be both functional and aesthetically appealing. It just depends on your provider. You could also want a storage shed with additional features that match those of your house.

Landscape Considerations

The storage shed should also be able to easily blend with the landscape. Plants can come in handy if you’re trying to match the storage shade with the landscape. A good idea would be to establish garden beds so that the storage shade is not sticking out like a sore thumb.

Siding Materials

This is an important consideration that a lot of people overlook. The three main materials used for the siding and the walls include: plastic, metal, and wood. With wood frames, you can expect stud-framed walls. The type of materials to be used will depend on a couple of factors. You might be staying in an area that is windy and you will need sturdy material to help withstand the elements.

Foundation and Flooring

Before you can think about the storage shed, there should be a strong foundation already in place. There are sheds that will come with flooring while others will not. To have better control over the strength and reliability of the storage shed, it is recommended that you take care of the flooring and foundation. The foundation should be able to keep the floor off the wet ground or soil.

DIY Vs Doing it on Your Own

This a dilemma that you’re likely to face, especially if you’re working on a tight budget. If you’ve never embarked on such a project before, there are some challenges that you could encounter. If you’re not handy, it will be better that you look for professional installers. The home improvement store that you buy the storage shed from will offer installation services at an additional cost. Plastic and metal sheds are easy to assemble. They will come with detailed manuals. You shouldn’t experience a lot of challenges during the installation. You can always watch DIY videos if you’re stuck somewhere.

Access

The entry should be accommodating enough to store your largest piece of equipment. There should also be plenty of extra storage room once your largest equipment is already inside the storage shed. The majority of storage sheds will come with two doors to promote easy access.

Decorative Considerations

There are small touches that can make a big difference in how the storage shed looks. There are some storage sheds that will come with cupolas or French doors. You can also include your own decorative elements such as window boxes, shutters, or even weathervanes.  The decorative shed should be aesthetically pleasing because you will have to see it every day you step out of your house, even if you’re not in need of your tools.

To conclude, a storage shed should be able to accommodate additional storage. You might run out of space and will need to supplement the storage with a smaller model. The best option will be buying a big storage shed that has a storage loft so that you don’t run out of space in the near future.

3 Easy Ways to Improve Sleep Onset, Duration, and Satisfaction

By
Elizabeth Williams

Sleep deprivation is a real problem in our society and should be viewed as a public health issue. It has been estimated that roughly one in five Americans have a sleep disorder of some sort. This has severe repercussions on things like mental health, work related accidents, and heart disease, among other things.

However, a lot of sleep issues come down to lifestyle choices we make. And, by making the proper adjustments, it’s possible for virtually anyone experiencing sleep issues to improve their condition. Here are a few ways that you can improve sleep onset, duration, and satisfaction.

Understand Your Body’s Rhythm & Respect it

One of the main reasons a lot of people experience sleep issues is that they misunderstand their sleeping rhythms, also known as their circadian rhythm. If you want to enjoy better sleep, it’s important to understand your body’s rhythm and align your sleeping habits with it.

Many people will stay up much longer than they need to for instance. But, if you learn to go to sleep at set hours every night, align it with your body, and maintain a strict routine, you should be able to improve your sleep quality.

Consider Supplementing

You should also consider supplements that can help promote better sleep. Most supplements out there contain melatonin, and this is one of the best supplements out there for anyone looking for better sleep.

Some supplements have a variety of ingredients that can promote better sleep. kavinace OS, for instance, helps ward off oxidative stress that hinders sleep by combining things like Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, and Resveratrol. All of these ingredients have been shown to improve the quality and duration of sleep and help you fall asleep faster. However, while their previous formula, kavinace PM, could be used throughout the day, this kavinace alternative was made specifically for sleep and can be taken right before bed to get the best sleep possible.

Beware of the Blue Light

Blue light is a form of light that is emitted by a wide variety of electronics, such as phones, laptops, tablets, and even clocks. All of these can trip your circadian rhythm and trick your body into thinking that it’s daytime.

This is why some people recommend that you turn off all screen 2 hours before you go to sleep. This might sound difficult, but you could always go for alternatives, like listening to a podcast or an audiobook before going to sleep. There are also some apps that will allow you to reduce the amount of blue light your devices are sending off. Night Owl, Bluelight Filter, and Twilight are three examples. Either way, you should always find a way to clear your mind and do something relaxing before you sleep, such as reading.

All of these tips should allow you to greatly improve the quality of your sleep and how fast you can get to bed. Make sure that you apply them in your everyday life, and always remember to respect and listen to your body first and foremost.

Benefits of Sauna Bathing

By
Elizabeth Williams

“It feels like a sauna in here” is a phrase often used when a space is uncomfortable. But the reality of a sauna is that it is truly a comfortable, calming, restorative place to be! Yes, the extreme environment and powerful heat of a sauna bath can be both mentally and physically rejuvenating. These steamy hot rooms have been used in Finland and throughout Scandanavia for thousands of years. And in various forms, they have slowly been spreading across the globe.

Spend some time in a high-quality sauna, and you’ll lose some serious sweat. Like buckets of sweat, pouring off of the body. And that’s a good thing!

When you step out into the cool air, you’ll feel renewed, revived, and cleaned from the heat. Not so different than if you’d spent some time relaxing in the waters of a luxurious soaking bathtub!

Benefits of Regular Sauna Use

The most important benefits you get from regular sauna bathing are that it will clear your mind, relax the body, invigorate you, and provide a sense of mental restoration. The mental revitalization you get from your time in the sauna is the most important, and most valuable benefit you can get from using a sauna.

That said, there are many claims floating around that saunas provide significant medical health and wellness benefits. Sauna manufacturers sometimes promote questionable claims and overhype preliminary studies to make it look like sauna baths work miracles.

If you want luxury within your reach, Amba’s heated towel racks are available in both hardwired and plugin configurations, and they never go out of style. 

If you start to look around, you’ll find loads of information on how saunas will make you lose weight (hint: it’s water weight, not fat), they’ll cure cancer, they will give you magical fairy wings, etc. The truth is that most of these claims are either outright fabrications, or they are based off very small studies with low quality.

That’s not to say that all the research is bad. There are several solid studies showcasing some real health benefits from both traditional and infrared sauna use. I’ll run through a few of them in a moment, but first, a few works on the different types of saunas.

Types of Sauna

The two major categories of sauna are infrared saunas and electric or wood-burning saunas. Electric and wood-burning saunas heat the sauna up in a similar way, though infrared heat is fundamentally different.

Infrared saunas have been growing in popularity due to their simplicity and lack of hassle compared to traditional saunas. Infrasaunas use infrared panels to generate radiant heat (and run at a lower temperature). Radiant heat warms the surfaces on the body directly, as opposed to warming the room itself.

Infrared light is not the same as the UV light produced in a tanning bed and is not dangerous. IR light is on the opposite side of the spectrum from UV light. Infrared saunas typically don’t need special wiring, and they don’t heat up as hot as a traditional sauna, due to the radiant heat design.

Traditional wood-burning and electric saunas heat the room with direct heat from wood or electricity. Sauna rocks are usually placed on top of the heater, and when you want to add steam to the room, you pour some water onto the rocks.

Infrared saunas don’t use sauna rocks, and there is usually no steam involved.

Most sauna studies have been on traditional saunas with steam, not infrared saunas.

MiHigh infrared sauna blanket has plenty of benefits for your body, like detox and weight management.

Saunas and Life Extension

This is likely the most interesting study around that looks looking at sauna use. In this study, discussed by Harvard Medical School. researchers looked at the death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke among sauna users.

The study followed 2,300 Finnish men over 20 years, focusing on their sauna use. That’s a pretty thorough study! It found that “frequent visits to a sauna were also associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

The study considered traditional Finnish saunas, and may not apply to (more common in homes) infrared saunas.

Heart Health and Blood Pressure

A few studies looking at people with existing cardiovascular issues found there may be improvements in cardiovascular function after regular visits to an infrared sauna. The underlying cause of the improvements is still unclear, but regardless, benefits have been found.

This is very much preliminary stuff, and more research needs to be done.

Joint Pain

For those who suffer from joint pain and arthritis, saunas may offer some relief. Scientists have found that regular sauna treatments over the course of a month lead to reduced incidence of joint pain, especially in those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

General Health and Saunas

The Mayo Clinic has a great round-up on the current science around infrared saunas. As they state, “Several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evidence of benefit. However, larger and more-rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results.”

What about Toxins?

You can find all sorts of claims in sketchy corners of the internet stating that saunas will get rid of toxins, remove heavy metals, etc. The reality is that saunas will definitely make you sweat, and sweat contains very small amounts of metals in it. So yeah, technically, saunas do remove heavy metals.

But seriously, if you have toxic levels of lead or other heavy metals in your body, you need to get to the doctor. The sauna’s just not going to cut it.

Conclusion

A sauna is a great place to relax and enjoy. Spend screenless time in the sauna with friends and family, and you’ll find plenty of enjoyment. Whether you choose a sauna in a spa or gym, or a home model, you’ll find a rewarding, rejuvenating heat awaits!

Marriage Counseling Advice for Making the Most of Your Sessions

By
Elizabeth Williams

Want to make the most of marriage counseling? Use this marriage counseling advice to get the most out of your therapy time.

If you’ve never been to marriage counseling, it’s wise to seek marriage counseling advice first. Not only can the sessions be pricey, but it’s never as easy as it looks in movies. 

Getting the most out of therapy always involves a lot of work from the patient. They have to play an active process in identifying problems and creating approaches to solving them. The therapist is really more of a facilitator. They’re there to guide the sessions and offer some techniques that may help.

To make sure your sessions aren’t a waste of time, energy, and money, check out the guide below.

A Marriage Counseling Advice Guide

This marriage advice guide is intended to help couples new to therapy. It can also help couples struggling with therapy. With the right approach, 75% of couples feel that therapy is effective. Review the approaches below and try them in your life to see if they improve things.

Developing Goals and Objectives

Before therapy even begins, you and your partner should have goals in mind. However, it’s never to late to start developing these. 

First, what does your ideal life together look like? What attributes does it have? Write them individually and you’ll have a new goal to bring to therapy.

Additionally, what kind of partner do you need to be to accomplish this ideal life? What do you want to improve to meet this goal?

Making Compromises

The falsehood of a perfect relationship is likely sold to the public through the film industry. The truth it, it doesn’t exist. However, the best relationships involve lots of tough decisions and compromises.

Your therapist will likely ask you to compromise your times in order to work on your relationship, and even to simply spend time together. 

Next, you will have to sacrifice your comfort. Discussing problems and true feelings can make a person uncomfortable, but it is necessary for growth.

Learning to Reflect

After each session, couples need to sit together and reflect on their efforts. Periodically, they can evaluate whether the therapeutic measures are working.

Part of your reflection should be a decision on whether to keep practicing the method, or find the next step. This is part of preparing for each session.

Conceptual Focus

When learning about marriage counseling expectations, you’ll see that there are certain conceptual focuses important to the process. These include things like asking the right questions, building communication skills, maintaining a good attitude, and focusing on what you can control — yourself.

One of the most important skills to learn in therapy is how we respond to problems and hardships. This means taking responsibility for yourself.

More Love and Relationship Advice

Looking for marriage counseling advice is a great way to prepare for your first session. If you’ve never been to therapy before, it’s essential to begin with realistic expectations. It also takes some work and effort from you and your spouse before you even begin.

For more insightful romance advice, don’t forget to stop by our blog for more.

A Brief Guide to Using Discount Drug Cards for Prescriptions

By
Elizabeth Williams

Are you aware of the savings you can get from using discount drug cards to buy your prescriptions? Learn more in this guide.

Did you know that the average American spends over $1,200 a year on prescription drugs?

Prescription drugs are one of the most expensive aspects of paying for healthcare in America, but they are one of the most important as well. So how can you save money on this essential medication?

Prescription drug cards are one option for patients looking to save money. Let’s take a closer look at how they work.

What Is a Drug Card?

Basically, a prescription drug enrolls the patient in a program where they can buy medications at a discount using the pharmacy’s cash price. Consumers are able to access this lower price because the discount card company negotiates a lower price with the pharmacy.

Who Offers Prescription Drug Cards?

These drug cards are offered for free by a few different types of companies.

One is the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), which is a prescription insurance processing company. These companies typically work as a liaison between the drug manufacturer, the pharmacy, and the insurance company to set drug prices. These are the most common sources of drug cards.

In other cases, data collection companies that collect data related to prescription drugs will offer drug cards. Finally, some non-profit or for-profit entities will provide them. These organizations make their money off of the processing fees from the pharmacy.

How Do Prescription Drug Cards Work?

Again, the organizations that offer prescription drug cards negotiate a lower price with the pharmacy. The prescription drug card provider generates additional business for the pharmacy by providing the card, resulting in the lower prices. 

This makes prescription drug cards a great option for patients who either don’t have insurance or for patients whose insurance does not offer a good prescription drug plan. 

How Can I Use a Prescription Drug Card?

You will need to take your prescription drug card with you to the participating pharmacy. This can be a stand-alone pharmacy, one in a grocery store, or even an online pharmacy. Click here to learn more about online pharmacies.

The pharmacy will then use the billing code associated with your drug card to bill your medication. They will then apply the negotiated drug price to your purchase.

There are two important factors when using your prescription drug card. First, the pharmacy you go to must be a participating pharmacy. Second, the medication you are purchasing must be one of the ones negotiated by the program. When you receive a prescription drug card, you should be able to obtain a list of covered medications.

Use Prescription Drug Cards Today

When it comes to saving money on medication, using prescription drug cards is a no brainer. With a prescription drug card, you will be able to save money on the medications you need to maintain your health.

Looking for more healthcare tips? Check out the healthcare section of our blog today.

 

Review of the Women’s World Cup 2019 tournament

By
Elizabeth Williams

From June 7th to July 7th, France hosted the Women’s World Cup 2019, the eighth competition of this level, which twenty-four teams participated in. For the fourth time in its history, the US national team became the world champion.

Body

From June 7th to July 7th, France hosted the Women’s World Cup 2019, the eighth competition of this level, which twenty-four teams participated in. For the fourth time in its history, the US national team became the world champion. In the final game, which took place at the sold out arena in Lyon, the American team met with the Netherlands’. 

The Americans dominated most of the game, but could only show themselves in the 61st minute. The Dutch team was punished with a penalty kick to their score, which was confidently realized by Megan Rapino, the forward. Eight minutes later, the United States managed to double their lead thanks to Lavell’s accurate strike.

The Netherlands tried to recoup and went forward with great passion, but American defense acted clearly and accurately. As a result, the final match ended with the score of 2:0 in favor of the star-striped team.

The third place at the Women’s World Cup 2019 was taken by the Swedish national team, which outplayed the English women with a score of 2:1. The top scorers of the championship were Alex Morgan from the United States and Ellen White from England. Both players scored six goals. 

The most valuable player of the tournament was the American Megan Rapino, who plays at the midfielder position. The best goalkeeper was Sari Van Veenendaal from the Netherlands national team.

Upcoming matches of the French championship on fscore.net

Next weekend will see the start of the third round of the championship of France, the results of which can be followed on the fscore.net. Lyon, having scored six points at the start of the season, will have an away game in Montpellier, which unsuccessfully started the championship, earning only one point.

Another unexpected leader of League 1 – Nice – will have a home game against Marseilles, who in the last two rounds was defeated and played in a tie. 

The current champion of the country, PSG, will host Toulouse, who already scored four points. 

Monaco, which unsuccessfully spent its first two rounds by missing six goals and not scoring a single one, will meet at home with another outsider – Nimes. The Monegasques need to change the situation right now, otherwise they will have to fight for survival for the second season in a row.

In addition, in the third round of the League 1 there will be several more interesting matches that can be watched with the help of the fscore:

  • Brestois – Reims; 
  • Anger – Metz; 
  • Amiens – Nantes;
  •  Strasbourg – Rennes; 
  • Dijon – Bordeaux.

Do not forget about the confrontation between the two representatives of France in European competition. It will be a match between Lille and Saint-Etienne.

9 Essential Sexual Health Practices You Should Learn

By
Elizabeth Williams

These sexual health practices are simple and effective! Incorporate these essential sexual health practices into your day for a healthier lifestyle.

Sexual health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality.

To possess positive sexual health requires a respectful and healthy approach and attitude towards sexuality and sexual relationships. It offers the possibility of having safe and pleasurable sexual experiences that don’t involve coercion, discrimination, and violence in any way.

However, many people are unaware of positive sexual health practices, especially if they haven’t learned much about sex before or are new to experiencing sexual relationships.

That’s where we come in to help. For a happy and positive sexual health, here are nine essential sexual health practices you should learn.

After all, a healthy sex life helps you have a healthy life.

  1. Value Yourself

You must value who you are as a person and understand what’s right for you when it comes to having sex.

Sex is a natural part of life and it can bring pleasure, intimacy, and happiness for many. But remember that it’s up to you to decide if and when you have sex, and with whom.

Before having sex with someone, think about what you want and definite your values, desires, and boundaries when it comes to sex. And never let anyone pressure you into having sex if you don’t feel comfortable.

  1. Treat Your Partners Well and Expect to Be Treated Well

One of the most important sexual health tips is to treat your sexual partner well and expect the same treatment in return.

If you decide to have sex, make sure it’s with someone who makes you feel good about yourself, comfortable, and secure. Partners must respect your boundaries in the bedroom, and as mentioned, should never pressure you or force you to do something you’re not comfortable with.

Likewise, you should respect your partner in the same way.

  1. Build Positive Relationships

When having sex with a partner, you must be open with one another and are honest about your relationship, desires, and sexual health.

In the bedroom, respect one another and make decisions together. After all, sex involves two people.

If any issues occur relating to sexual health, discuss them openly with one another and seek medical help if necessary.

Likewise, compliment your partner and let them know what feels good in the bedroom too. When you’re open about what you like and dislike in bed, it means you can work together to improve your sex life further and further.

  1. Learn About Your Body

This leads us to the importance of learning about your body and understanding how it works.

Once you learn what you like and don’t like in bed, you can explore ways to express yourself sexually even like how to ride a dildo. You can also teach your partner what you do and don’t like in bed for a better sex life, as mentioned above.

  1. Practice Safe Sex

While it’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment, it’s important to practice safe sex otherwise you may end up with an STI or unplanned pregnancy.

Condoms can prevent both STIs and unplanned pregnancies, while other contraceptives such as the birth control pill only prevent pregnancy.

For extra security, some people choose two methods of contraception, such as condoms along with another contraceptive method.

If you do decide to rely on the birth control pill or another contraceptive method other than condoms, make sure you and your partner both take an STD test beforehand.

  1. Make Sexual Health Part of Your Health Care Routine

To make sure you’re always healthy sexually, make sexual health a regular part of your healthcare routine.

Find a health care clinic or provider that makes you feel comfortable when discussing your sexual health and respects you and your decisions.

You should feel comfortable having open conversations about your sexual health so they can advise you on how to stay healthy and on any other issues that can affect your sexual health. For example, they might advise you on a form of contraception to take.

  1. Learn to Understand Your Sexuality

Your sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices and more. In many cases, it’s influenced by various factors such as biological, psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, and religion among many more.

Your sexuality is not a choice, and many people – especially young people – can feel uncomfortable or ashamed with some of their desires and beliefs.

Learning to understand your sexuality on a deeper level can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it’s important to do so to practice a healthy sex life.

  1. Take a Regular STD Test

Taking a regular STD and undertaking sexual health testing is important to make sure your body is in optimum health. This is especially important if you swap partners or have practiced sex without the use of condoms.

Thankfully, taking an STD test is easy to do and most clinics and practices offer them to patients. Nowadays, you can even receive STD tests to use at home. Discover the best at home STD test here for ultimate ease and convenience.

  1. Practice Being Sex-Positive

The last of our healthy sex tips is to practice being sex-positive.

Not sure what sex-positive means? Well, being sex-positive means being open, accepting, and understanding of all people’s sexual lifestyles, as long as they’re consensual and don’t harm anyone else.

While it can be difficult to shake negative conations many learn about sexuality from a young age, it’s crucial for healthy growth and development.

Learning About Sexual Health Practices

Understanding your body and sexuality is key to positive sexual health. As is respecting your partner and expecting the same respect back from them.

Follow these nine sexual health practices and you should benefit from a happy, healthy, and safe sex life. Enjoy!

Did you like this article? Feel free to browse the rest of our website for more advice.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN FINDING A NEWBORN BABY PHOTOGRAPHER

By
Elizabeth Williams

The feeling of a newborn baby cannot be rivaled by any other feeling or experience in the world. This time passes by so fast with parents figuring out the beginning of parenthood and the little moments can get lost in all the confusion. One way of preserving these precious moments, where your newborn is small enough to fit in your hands, is to hire a newborn photographer and have a photoshoot of your newborn baby. 

These portraits will most probably the most important pictures of your life. Depicting the moment where everything changed for you, they will elicit emotions long after your child is grown up and independently taking on the world. Because these pictures are so personal and depict such an important moment of your life, it is only natural to feel nervous when looking for the right photographer.

With this comprehensive guide, we’re going to educate you on the different factors to take into consideration when you’re hiring a photographer to capture your newborn baby’s first few days in this world. Follow these steps and you’re sure to find the right photographer who will capture your vision, ensure a smooth process, and, above all, make sure your baby is safe and comfortable throughout the entire exercise. 

SAFETY FIRST 

By far, the most important factor to look for is your baby’s safety throughout the entire photoshoot. Your baby will be positioned and posed throughout the entire photoshoot and considering newborn babies are fragile, it takes an expert hand to be able to do that. You need to ensure that your photographer is able to pose, handle, and care for your baby with safety. If you’re going to research for the safest car seats, cribs, and strollers, then you should consider the same factor when looking at a photographer. 

You could check if your photographer has gone through relevant training and certifications. The American Association of Newborn Photography Safety offers training for this element and focuses on important aspects such as prop safety, immunizations, newborn handling, safe posing, and studio cleanliness. Having credentials awarded by a recognized association goes a long way in ensuring the safety of your newborn baby. 

EXPERIENCE  

After you’ve made sure your photographer is trained to safely handle your newborn baby, you should check their experience. When speaking to your photographer, ask them different questions like their tenure in the industry. Also ask how many different babies they’ve worked with during their career and what trainings, in addition to the safety training, they have been through. 

These photoshoots can cost a lot of money and can be a tiring experience, especially at such a frantic and confusing time. If you’re putting in so much time, money, and effort into an exercise then you need to ensure that all bases are covered and ensuring that your photographer has the right experience is a key factor. 

STYLE AND THEMES 

As parents, you are entitled to whatever style of photography you like for your newborn baby. However, it is necessary to understand that not every photographer will be able to execute the style you’re looking for and may not capture the pictures the way you like. Similarly, you’re entitled to choose whatever theme you like as well, but understand that not every photographer will be comfortable working with the theme and props that you like. 

Therefore, to ensure the desired results, adopt an honest and open approach and discuss your idea and vision with the photographer in detail. This is the only way you could have the pictures you’re looking for. Establish your boundaries and clearly explain your vision and what the pictures will mean to you. Talk about the prints and how you want to display them. No detail should be left unattended! 

SCHEDULING AND BOOKING 

The best time to have your newborn photo shoot is 10 to 15 days after birth. At this time, your baby is tiny, squishy, flexible, and, most importantly, sleeping most of the time. If you want your baby in all those cute poses you see in photosets, then you’ll have to take the pictures within the first couple of weeks the baby is born.  

The next thing to consider is that newborn photographers are busy! Babies are born all the time and, as such, reputable photographers are in demand and busy with a photoshoot almost every day. The best time to contact them is in the middle of your third trimester, somewhere at the 30-week mark to be a little more exact. 

From the 30-week mark, until the photoshoot, you have almost 60 days, which gives you enough time to find a photographer and discuss all the details, such as style and themes, before the photoshoot date. Also, if you need to order any special props you’re looking to incorporate into the pictures, then you’ll have enough time to place the order and ensure on-time delivery. 

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR BUDGET 

As mentioned above, these photoshoots can be expensive! The first few weeks of having a newborn baby is already a financial strain as there are baby essentials to buy all the time. Diapers, wipes, baby powder, and so much more contribute to the overall expenditure of your household. If you’re going to opt for a newborn photoshoot, make sure you have the finances for it and discuss prices with your photographer in detail before you make the booking and sign any document. 

Photographers do tend to charge a significant amount of money, as they need to pay for more than just the equipment being used. They have bills and overheads just like any other business and due to their demand, their time is also quite limited.   

We hope the above tips are able to help and make your newborn photography experience more fulfilling. If you’re looking for a photography studio in LA, one option to consider is Laura Jane Studios. They have extensive work on their resume and have a professional approach to the entire process.

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